National Eczema Association Marks Annual Eczema Awareness Month

The National Eczema Association (NEA) presents its annual Eczema Awareness Month (EAM) throughout October to spread awareness about living with eczema—the life-altering and non-contagious skin disease that affects 31.6 million people in the US.

Eczema refers to a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause dry skin, itchiness, rashes, scaly patches, blisters and skin infections. Eczema’s disease burden includes significant physical, mental and emotional impacts.

Per statistics from the association, nearly 35% of those with mild AD experience some lifestyle limitations; more than 55% of adults with moderate to severe AD report inadequate disease control; and nearly 40% of school-aged children and teens with AD have experienced bullying because of their disease.

Eczema on Display

This year’s awareness campaign puts eczema on display with photos of real, up-close photos of community members’ flares, paired with their original poems reflecting their lived experiences. Themed, “The Ecz-hibition,” this social media campaign aims to bring greater attention to and understanding about eczema’s vast impacts, while also working to reduce stigma and foster compassion.

Eczema Awareness Month weekly themes include the following:

Week 1 – Blank canvas: “What is eczema?” a discussion on eczema’s complex pathophysiology, various types and diverse appearances;

Week 2 – Art Theory: Eczema is more than the visuals, examines eczema’s burden;

Week 3 – Art class: creative ways to manage eczema, which takes a closer look at how to manage and treat eczema — and what future treatment and management might look like;

Week 4 – Art supplies: tools for living one’s most ecz-pressive life with eczema. This week looks at the resources available to people with condition to help them live their best lives;

Week 5 – Artist’s collective. This week shares advice and inspiration from the eczema community to remind people with eczema that they are not alone.

Offerings include an array of virtual events featuring NEA’s ecz-perts and community members, educational resources, social media content and engagement and support for patients and caregivers.
Pop-Up Gallery

For people in the San Francisco Bay Area, NEA will present its first pop-up gallery in honor of Eczema Awareness Month, showcasing the Ecz-hibition’s images and poetry. The exhibit will be on display at the Problem Library, 1288 15th Ave., San Francisco from Oct. 1-7 during these times:

Tuesday, Oct. 1 Wednesday; Oct. 2; and Thursday, Oct. 3 – 10am–4pm;
Friday, Oct. 4 from 10am–8pm;
Saturday, Oct. 5; Sunday Oct. 6; and Monday, Oct. 7 from 10am–4pm.

“As our understanding of this complex disease continues to grow with the surge in scientific research, discovery, and insight, we anticipate improved therapies, care and outcomes for patients, and one day, potentially, a cure for eczema,” said Kristin Belleson, NEA president and CEO.

NEA’s Eczema Awareness Month 2024 is supported in part by the following sponsors:
AbbVie, LEO, Lilly, Sanofi and Regeneron, Dermavant, Incyte, Pfizer, All Free and Clear, Amgen and Kyowa Kirin, Arcutis, Mustela, Bioderma and ShiKai.